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Where Millions of Stories Go When People Die
Do you know the richest place on earth? Beneath every gravestone, there’s a life that mattered—stories that were never written down, wisdom that never got passed on. All this rich family history has been lost forever because people got too busy with their day-to-day.
Back in 2012, I found myself asking, “Why did I let this happen?”
My grandfather had fallen victim to the thief of time. Procrastination. He lived a long and eventful life filled with adventures, love, heartbreak, and success. Then he died. My hero. Without his life story written.
I beat myself up. I’m a writer. I knew better. Why didn’t I guide him? Heck, I should have just written it myself! I know the pains of an untold story.
The cemetery stands as a quiet reminder: “True wealth” isn’t measured by the material things we accumulate but by the stories and values we pass down to the people who matter.
This is why I do what I do.
Back in 2012, I found myself asking, “Why did I let this happen?”
My grandfather had fallen victim to the thief of time. Procrastination. He lived a long and eventful life filled with adventures, love, heartbreak, and success. Then he died. My hero. Without his life story written.
I beat myself up. I’m a writer. I knew better. Why didn’t I guide him? Heck, I should have just written it myself! I know the pains of an untold story.
The cemetery stands as a quiet reminder: “True wealth” isn’t measured by the material things we accumulate but by the stories and values we pass down to the people who matter.
This is why I do what I do.
Preserving Your Parents' Life Stories Matters
Within the intimate circle of family, stories of struggle and victory serve as links that connect hearts and minds. These tales, etched with the beauty of laughter, tears, and shared triumphs, become the foundation upon which your family builds a sense of belonging and connection. It’s more than just this . . .
In an interview with Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management, distinguished clinical psychologist Marshall P. Duke, shared:
In an interview with Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management, distinguished clinical psychologist Marshall P. Duke, shared:
“Our research shows that children who know a lot about their family tend to be more resilient: higher levels of self-esteem, more self-control, better family functioning, lower levels of anxiety, few behavioral problems, and better chances for good outcomes when faced with challenges.”
Do you want this for your family?
4 Easy Steps To Your Parents' Biographies
Exceptional Storytelling | Eye-Catching Covers | Full of Color, Depth & Emotion
Testimonials
“Jeremiah’s book about my life brought tears to my eyes. It expresses me in a way I couldn’t. The process and book have given me a release that’s been a long time coming.”
Rose Frazier
“My mother and brother have lived a storied life together. Jeremiah exceeded my expectations with their dual biography, which is rich in color and excellent storytelling. My mother had so much fun working on this project with Jeremiah. He is an outstanding professional who crafts exceptional narratives.”
Justin Lamb
“Working with Jeremiah was a delight. His attention to detail and ability to make my life story come alive is amazing. My family loves reading about my adventures and feel like they are there with me. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to preserve their life story for their posterity.”
Camille Franklin
“Jeremiah went above and beyond to produce my career history book. He surprised me by contacting my medical school and collecting old photos from their archives. The end product is impressive. I'd recommend him to anyone considering a career history or biography.”
Jeff Zollinger, M.D.
“I’m well-pleased with Jeremiah’s writing and the finished book. It was fun meeting with him every week and opening up about my life. Everybody I've shared the book has praised it and how well it was written. My grandchildren are going to cherish this book and one day their children. Thank you!”
Dennis Kalb
What Sets Me Apart
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What makes my work as a biographer DIFFERENT is the signature process I've refined over the years of writing stories about people from all walks of life.
It's the ONLY structured, creative framework built around 27 time-tested chapter themes that help me turn a person's life story into a captivating chronicle. I call it the Legacy Mapping Method. I will use it to deliver beautifully written biographies of your parents that read like bestsellers, capturing their values, wisdom, and character in way that your family will understand, remember, and cherish for the rest of their lives. I write in a style called dramatic nonfiction, where I make characters come alive by applying literary techniques of complication/resolution, flashback, foreshadowing, and pace. Here’s the thing—anyone can jot down a timeline of someone’s life. But when it comes to telling a story that truly moves people, that’s where the magic happens. Your parents’ stories deserve more than just the facts—they deserve to be felt, experienced, and remembered. I don’t just write down memories; I craft a narrative that makes the reader feel the moments, the emotions, the journey. Imagine storytelling for your parents where every reader feels as if they are part of the story. It’s the difference between a scattered collection of written memories filed away somewhere and biographies that get shared, talked about, and cherished for years to come. Check out my "Approach" page to see what I mean with an example. |
Along with my storytelling abilities, my custom front and back cover designs pop with color and striking visual style. A book’s front cover may catch a reader’s eye, but the back cover usually convinces them to stick around, look closer, and peek inside the pages.
My carefully crafted back cover blurbs offer a glimpse of what’s to come and spark curiosity. They address the central themes without being too vague, clever, or flashy. I also ask my clients to select an object that is especially meaningful and personal to them. It might be a chocolate chip cookie, an airplane, or a rose. The possibilities are as unique as each person. I will find an “icon” representing this object and place it on the back cover along with the blurb. While my clients and I agree to the total word count in writing, I routinely deliver a sizeable number of additional polished words because the narrative warrants it, and it’s the right thing for me to do as the storyteller. My satisfaction comes from delivering more than I hoped or expected. I am also available to my clients by phone, text, and email to explore, brainstorm, and advise as projects sometimes take unexpected twists and turns or new questions arise. I aim to become a trusted advisor and valued confidant to my clients. For them, I will masterfully convey the depth and humanity of their character and narrative. Wouldn’t having your parents’ stories turned into captivating biographies be amazing?
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Partnering with an Expert Storyteller
Families find relief when they discover me, someone of demonstrated, proven, reliable competence whom they can confidently commission to craft a parent's biography.
Before we started working together, Camille Franklin found the mere thought and enormity of writing about her adventurous life was intimidating.
She racked her brain daily, trying to figure out how to approach it.
“The project feels daunting and impossible,” she told me over the phone one day. “But this has to get done. For my family. Can you help me, Jeremiah?”
Fortunately for Camille, I knew the solution to her problem. She didn’t know she needed to do the same thing that prolific writer James Patterson does when he writes thriller and suspense novels. Outline! Investing a little time upfront will pay big-time dividends at the keyboard and prevent headaches.
The best part about being an obsessive outliner is that my stories practically write themselves before I craft the first sentence. Over the years, I have developed and mastered a comprehensive library of story themes I use when working with clients.
There was only one way for me to eat Camille’s elephant: one bite at a time.
The best part for her was that after each telephone interview, she could step away without a care in the world, focusing instead on her life, family, and hobbies without the added burden of a lengthy, laborious writing project.
Before we started working together, Camille Franklin found the mere thought and enormity of writing about her adventurous life was intimidating.
She racked her brain daily, trying to figure out how to approach it.
“The project feels daunting and impossible,” she told me over the phone one day. “But this has to get done. For my family. Can you help me, Jeremiah?”
Fortunately for Camille, I knew the solution to her problem. She didn’t know she needed to do the same thing that prolific writer James Patterson does when he writes thriller and suspense novels. Outline! Investing a little time upfront will pay big-time dividends at the keyboard and prevent headaches.
The best part about being an obsessive outliner is that my stories practically write themselves before I craft the first sentence. Over the years, I have developed and mastered a comprehensive library of story themes I use when working with clients.
There was only one way for me to eat Camille’s elephant: one bite at a time.
The best part for her was that after each telephone interview, she could step away without a care in the world, focusing instead on her life, family, and hobbies without the added burden of a lengthy, laborious writing project.
Tailored Biography Packages to Capture Your Parents' Legacies
My biography service preserves your parents' colorful moments, values, and wisdom in timeless treasures that will be cherished for generations.
My biographies are bespoke projects that reflect the unique journey of each individual. I'd love to discuss your vision and provide a custom proposal based on your family's goals.
My biography service preserves your parents' colorful moments, values, and wisdom in timeless treasures that will be cherished for generations.
My biographies are bespoke projects that reflect the unique journey of each individual. I'd love to discuss your vision and provide a custom proposal based on your family's goals.
Biography Packages Include:
Agreement: A detailed agreement will be prepared before the official project starts.
Terms: 50% down to start. Remaining 50% upon delivery of books.
- Clear, engaging, and polished composition
- A fusion of creativity and journalistic flair
- Custom book cover design (front & back)
- Editorial sessions/editing, book setup, layout text, photo insert
- 4 full-color hardbacks
Agreement: A detailed agreement will be prepared before the official project starts.
Terms: 50% down to start. Remaining 50% upon delivery of books.
Try My Writing Services with a Risk-Free Trial
If your parent is not delighted with Chapter 1, your deposit will be returned. No hassles, no hard feelings.
Beyond Chapter 1, I’ll make adjustments until they love what they read. Most edits are light and straightforward—just small tweaks to get everything exactly right.
Beyond Chapter 1, I’ll make adjustments until they love what they read. Most edits are light and straightforward—just small tweaks to get everything exactly right.
What If They Don't Want to Tell Their Stories?
It’s no secret that most parents aren’t racing to tell their life stories. They’re humble. They’ve spent decades putting others first. And they’re not used to seeing themselves as the “main character.”
But this is about preserving what matters, in their voice, on their terms, so their family can hold onto it forever.
I also know how much my clients benefit from my biography writing service. I get their texts; I talk to them on the phone; and all of them tell me this was the best thing they’ve ever done for their family. Because of this, I just hate the thought of someone not working with me due to some error or omission in my explanation.
That’s why I held a special brainstorming session with a group of my closest friends just to try and figure out why they might say “no.” After several hours, our group could think of nine possible reasons.
1. They don’t have the time right now.
That makes total sense. Life doesn’t exactly slow down just because the kids are grown. Between travel, grandkids, volunteer work, or just the day-to-day busyness of life, carving out time for something like this can feel impossible.
But here’s the good news: this doesn’t require much time, and it’s not a burden.
All your parents have to do is meet with me by telephone for about an hour for each chapter of their biographies. Clients usually meet with me once a week. I will guide them, write the chapters, and bring their stories to life.
2. They want to wait until things settle down.
It’s easy to think there’ll be a better time later, when things quiet down, or there’s more space to think.
But the truth is, there’s rarely a perfect time. And some stories, some memories, are sharpest now. The laughs, the lessons, the details that make their lives remarkable — those are clearest while they’re still living them. Waiting often means forgetting. None of us wants to look back and wish we’d started sooner.
3. They don’t think their lives are that interesting.
That’s humility talking, not the truth.
Most parents don’t see the worth in their own stories because they’ve spent a lifetime focusing on others. They don’t realize how much wisdom, grit, and love are woven into the everyday decisions they’ve made.
But their kids and grandkids see it differently. They want to understand where they come from — what shaped their family, what lessons quietly guided the way. One day, someone will ask, “What was Grandpa really like?” and now, they’ll have the answer.
4. They say it feels indulgent.
That makes sense. Most parents aren’t used to doing something that puts their own story front and center.
Just know this is an investment in your family’s legacy. In the stories, values, and moments that shaped your parents. Long after the vacations, gifts, and gadgets are forgotten, this will still matter.
5. They don’t like talking about themselves.
Perfect. Most good parents don’t.
That’s why this isn’t an interview under hot lights. It’s a series of relaxed conversations. No pressure, no performance. Just someone who knows how to listen, gently guide, and bring out the stories that matter. They’ll forget there’s even a goal. They’ll just talk.
6. They don’t know what they’d say.
They don’t have to.
That’s the beauty of working with a professional. I don’t expect them to bring a script. Just their lives, their voice, and some stories. I’ll take care of the structure, flow, and shaping it into narratives they can be proud of.
This isn’t about what they have to do. It’s about what I’m trained to draw out of them.
7. What if they don’t like a finished chapter?
They’ll be in complete control every step of the way.
They’ll review drafts. They’ll have input. I will change, delete, or revise anything that doesn’t feel right. This isn’t ghostwriting behind their backs — it’s collaborative. And satisfaction isn’t optional — it’s guaranteed. I’ll make adjustments until they love what they read. Most edits are light and straightforward — just small tweaks to get everything exactly right.
8. They’re not famous. Who would care about their stories?
That’s the biggest myth parents believe — that a story has to be public to be worth preserving.
But this isn’t about fame. It’s about family.
Their story matters to the people who love them. To the ones who’ve learned from them. And to future generations who will one day wish they could sit down and ask, “What were they really like?”
Your kids won’t care about a stranger’s name in lights. They’ll care about theirs.
9. They’ve waited this long. What’s one more year?
One more year is one less year of sharp memory.
One more year is one more chance that life changes — illness, distraction.
Starting now doesn’t just protect their stories — it protects their voice, their perspective, and their ability to shape the way it’s told.
The clock doesn’t stop. And the longer you wait, the more you risk losing the irreplaceable.
But this is about preserving what matters, in their voice, on their terms, so their family can hold onto it forever.
I also know how much my clients benefit from my biography writing service. I get their texts; I talk to them on the phone; and all of them tell me this was the best thing they’ve ever done for their family. Because of this, I just hate the thought of someone not working with me due to some error or omission in my explanation.
That’s why I held a special brainstorming session with a group of my closest friends just to try and figure out why they might say “no.” After several hours, our group could think of nine possible reasons.
1. They don’t have the time right now.
That makes total sense. Life doesn’t exactly slow down just because the kids are grown. Between travel, grandkids, volunteer work, or just the day-to-day busyness of life, carving out time for something like this can feel impossible.
But here’s the good news: this doesn’t require much time, and it’s not a burden.
All your parents have to do is meet with me by telephone for about an hour for each chapter of their biographies. Clients usually meet with me once a week. I will guide them, write the chapters, and bring their stories to life.
2. They want to wait until things settle down.
It’s easy to think there’ll be a better time later, when things quiet down, or there’s more space to think.
But the truth is, there’s rarely a perfect time. And some stories, some memories, are sharpest now. The laughs, the lessons, the details that make their lives remarkable — those are clearest while they’re still living them. Waiting often means forgetting. None of us wants to look back and wish we’d started sooner.
3. They don’t think their lives are that interesting.
That’s humility talking, not the truth.
Most parents don’t see the worth in their own stories because they’ve spent a lifetime focusing on others. They don’t realize how much wisdom, grit, and love are woven into the everyday decisions they’ve made.
But their kids and grandkids see it differently. They want to understand where they come from — what shaped their family, what lessons quietly guided the way. One day, someone will ask, “What was Grandpa really like?” and now, they’ll have the answer.
4. They say it feels indulgent.
That makes sense. Most parents aren’t used to doing something that puts their own story front and center.
Just know this is an investment in your family’s legacy. In the stories, values, and moments that shaped your parents. Long after the vacations, gifts, and gadgets are forgotten, this will still matter.
5. They don’t like talking about themselves.
Perfect. Most good parents don’t.
That’s why this isn’t an interview under hot lights. It’s a series of relaxed conversations. No pressure, no performance. Just someone who knows how to listen, gently guide, and bring out the stories that matter. They’ll forget there’s even a goal. They’ll just talk.
6. They don’t know what they’d say.
They don’t have to.
That’s the beauty of working with a professional. I don’t expect them to bring a script. Just their lives, their voice, and some stories. I’ll take care of the structure, flow, and shaping it into narratives they can be proud of.
This isn’t about what they have to do. It’s about what I’m trained to draw out of them.
7. What if they don’t like a finished chapter?
They’ll be in complete control every step of the way.
They’ll review drafts. They’ll have input. I will change, delete, or revise anything that doesn’t feel right. This isn’t ghostwriting behind their backs — it’s collaborative. And satisfaction isn’t optional — it’s guaranteed. I’ll make adjustments until they love what they read. Most edits are light and straightforward — just small tweaks to get everything exactly right.
8. They’re not famous. Who would care about their stories?
That’s the biggest myth parents believe — that a story has to be public to be worth preserving.
But this isn’t about fame. It’s about family.
Their story matters to the people who love them. To the ones who’ve learned from them. And to future generations who will one day wish they could sit down and ask, “What were they really like?”
Your kids won’t care about a stranger’s name in lights. They’ll care about theirs.
9. They’ve waited this long. What’s one more year?
One more year is one less year of sharp memory.
One more year is one more chance that life changes — illness, distraction.
Starting now doesn’t just protect their stories — it protects their voice, their perspective, and their ability to shape the way it’s told.
The clock doesn’t stop. And the longer you wait, the more you risk losing the irreplaceable.
Show You Care
Of course, it takes an extraordinary type of individual to truly appreciate the value of hiring a biographer for their parents. It’s about legacy. Treasured keepsakes. Family pride. Is this you?
If you’re looking for deep, meaningful biographies that will stand the test of time, I’m here to help—but only if you genuinely value the art of storytelling. If your parents and I are the right fit for each other, we’ll create something special together.
If you’re looking for deep, meaningful biographies that will stand the test of time, I’m here to help—but only if you genuinely value the art of storytelling. If your parents and I are the right fit for each other, we’ll create something special together.
Is It Time to Turn Your Parents’ Values, Wisdom, and
Character into Captivating Biographies?
- Do you want your parents’ legacies to be more than just dates and facts—or do you want their stories told in a way that actually makes future generations feel who they were?
- Do you value storytelling enough to invest in something that’ll be cherished forever, instead of letting those priceless stories slip through the cracks of time?
- Are you looking for beautifully crafted, hardback biographies that’ll make your parents’ life stories an experience—not just a collection of memories, but masterpieces full of depth, color, and detail that you and your family just can’t get on your own?
If you answered yes, let’s talk. I’d love to answer any questions you might have and learn about your parents. Together, we can explore whether a biography project is the right fit for your family.
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Jeremiah Kalb Writing, LLC
1846 1st Street, Suite 324, Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Jeremiah Kalb Writing, LLC
1846 1st Street, Suite 324, Idaho Falls, ID 83401
